January 27, 2015, 12:09PM

Friday, February 20, 2015, 6:30 PM Graciously hosted by Portland Piano Company, 711 SW 14th Ave, Portland OR Help Beaverton based pianist Philip Mandel celebrate the release of his first professionally produced CD! Philip will perform excerpts from the CD along with a few surprises. CDs will be available for purchase at the event. What's on the CD: BACH Prelude... Full story »

October 27, 2008, 10:42AM

Zealousness is one thing that sets Portland pianist Maria Choban apart: Her passion for Greek and American music. Her fire for playing undiscovered works and unknown composers. Her resolve to say something different, and finally, her grittiness. She's also fun to watch -- a mass of black hair that occasionally parts to reveal facial expressions of serenity, joy, anger... Full story »

October 16, 2008, 9:45AM

Now THIS is how you write program notes. OK, the bit about the Chopin Ballade is over the top, but why not? Maria Choban is a Portland pianist with a rock 'n' roll soul. She hates convention, hates the rituals of classical music and hasn't played in public for a while. She plays like she writes -- vivid, direct,... Full story »

January 13, 2008, 1:05PM

If Gregory Vajda weren't already the Oregon Symphony's resident conductor, after Saturday night's concert with the orchestra at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, I'd suspect he was auditioning for something. The program was just the sort of thing aspiring conductors bring to a tryout: a couple of big-orchestra blockbusters; a display of clarity with a slightly smaller ensemble; and a... Full story »